Hallmark completes privatization of Crown Media

Hallmark, headquartered in Kansas City, has completed the privatization of Crown Media Holdings Inc. File photo by David Pulliamdpulliam@kcstar.com

Hallmark, headquartered in Kansas City, has completed the privatization of Crown Media Holdings Inc. File photo by David Pulliamdpulliam@kcstar.com

Crown Media Holdings Inc., home of the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, is now a privately owned part of Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards Inc.

Hallmark CEO Donald J. Hall Jr. said Monday that Hallmark completed the short-form merger with Crown Media and has taken the company private. Hallmark previously had owned about 90 percent of Crown Media. Hallmark’s intent to acquire the remaining Crown Media shares was announced in March at a cost of about $175 million.

Crown Media, previously traded under the CRWN symbol, will not hold a previously scheduled first-quarter conference call with analysts Wednesday.